My son has a 2010 Dodge Dakota Ext. Cab 2WD (Long Horn) with 51,000 miles.
Sent him to get tires and maybe a front end alignment if they say it needs it. Well, they said it needed several parts up front, ball joints, etc. I told them no over the phone and I will check the front end when he gets home.

They probably just tried to stick it to him since he was a young kid.

But I wanted to ask here before I assumed the worst about this shop... is this a problem with these trucks? Is it possible I have worn parts this early with such low mileage?

 

It's a common thing with our trucks, they have weak front end parts. I've had to do a few balljoints, tie rod ends and one of my sway bar end links on my 2011 with 43000 KM which is about half of your son's truck. I recommend replacing with some higher quality parts like the greasable moog parts. They will also last way longer.

And, unlike the stealership who did mine under warranty, do both sides if you replace one. the other may not be far behind depending on his driving style and road conditions. i'm lucky so far and the ones that were not replaced by the dealership have stayed strong and i havn't had to replace any other parts yet. I'm planning on replacing the upper and lower control arms, ball joints, tie rod ends and sway bar end links with moog parts at the same time as i do my struts hopefully sometime this summer.

 

If your at all mechanically inclined, you can replace the things yourself. It's just removing parts and re-installing. As mentioned, get some good quality aftermarket parts (Moog). Rock Auto sells everything you need. If you have a dealer replace everything with OEM parts, be prepared to replace them again. Tie rod ends, sway bar links, ball joints and struts are weak (same parts as found on the Caravan).

 

Welcome to Dodge junk.

 

Some guys have had issues, some have not. I kind of doubt some of what that shop is claiming as worn already despite the fronts being the weakest link of these beasts, unless your roads are complete crap. I had both tie rods go out at 51k, but I fault the constant beatings they took from all the water pipeline rehab that was done in my area that made the roads rougher than some of the no winter maintenance roads I have been on.

You are off your meds again... lol Caravan parts, really man?

No different then Chevy, Ford, Nissan or Toyota. More like welcome to the joys of owning a vehicle/truck.

 

Congratulations! You are now in the club of front end f*ckery. Moog parts are your friend. If you are not mechanically inclined in the steering and suspension department, become it....immediate. May the Force be with you...

 

OK, ok....."similar" to a Caravan....in that they are too weak for a truck this size. Better suited for a Caravan..... : p

 

My 05 made it to almost 100k before I had to replace them which is surprising with how much I have lowered it. like they said, go with RockAuto for the Moog parts.

 

you may also wanna set about 600.00 aside for wheel bearings too, they wont last much longer, my 2005 has had a complete frt end makeover and currently pushing 156000 miles, rear bed has so much cancer too